A patella stress fracture confined the two-time Mr. Football at Ensworth to the sidelines at Saint Thomas Sports Park on Wednesday and Thursday. The rookie cornerback, who starred at running back in high school, won't play against the Titans on Saturday afternoon in what would've been his first game at Nissan Stadium.

"He always wanted to play in that stadium in front of family and friends, but he'll be fine," said Sharon Collier, Elder's mother. "That time will come."

The knee injury, however, hasn't soured the 22-year-old's first official visit to Nashville as a professional athlete.

"Just growing up watching the NFL and everything, being able to come back here for a joint practice for a week, that's definitely special for me," Elder said.

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Carolina Panthers cornerback Corn Elder (35) runs around the field before their game against the Carolina Panthers at Nissan Stadium Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Miami's Corn Elder throws a lateral during a kickoff return which featured multiple laterals before Elder subsequently received the final lateral and scored to give the Hurricanes a 30-27 victory at Duke on Oct. 31, 2015.
Rob Brown / AP

Ensworth running back Corn Elder is surrounded by classmates Peter Spruill, Hutt Cooke, Michael Buttarazzi and Jack Nesbitt, who wear corn cob-shaped hats to show their support for Elder during football games in 2012.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean, GEORGE WALKER IV

The Panthers selected Elder in the fifth round (No. 152) of April's NFL draft to add depth to their secondary. A first-team All-ACC honoree in his senior season at Miami (Fla.), Elder tied for the conference lead in passes defended.

His instincts and tenacity, which could be valuable to a Panthers defense that allowed the fourth-most passing yards per game last season, compensate for his small stature. Elder's injury, suffered at the start of training camp last month, has prevented him from carving a specific role and receiving reps, though.

"When we've had him on the field, we're excited about him," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "He's a smart football player. He's got good technical skills. But we really don't know right now. We haven't had a chance to see him."

"I definitely want to be out there, but I'm doing everything I can to get back," Elder said.

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera and Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey chat with each other before their two teams participate in a joint training camp practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn..
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Les Steckel talks with former Pittsburgh Steelers head Bill Cowher as the two visit a joint training camp practice between the Tennessee Titans and the Carolina Panthers at Saint Thomas Sports Park Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn..
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) has his right ankle tended to by a trainer during a joint training camp practice Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, against the Carolina Panthers at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Elder rehabbed Thursday without the clunky brace that he had been wearing on his right knee, so he is optimistic that he won't be sidelined much longer.

From his view in the end zone on the far field at Saint Thomas Sports Park, Elder watched his defensive teammates face the Titans' receivers in one-on-one drills. He wanted to compete against players from his childhood favorite team and possibly grab a keepsake from Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota.

"I wish I was out here," Elder said, "maybe getting a chance to pick him off or something."

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.